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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1980-10-02, Page 134 11URON;Expomp.R,. ()maga tu loe,a."•; eaeaa* • aar. , IWO , Rea ALICE &ll Remember those Saturday afternoons in froat of a flickering movie sekeen the days when men like Tom Maid Lash Lame 'were really ' "men" and the bad guys always dressed blticit? Those days, which SDHS, teachee Dick, Burgess hopes to recreate /le hiseenight school film classeeweetie:thne Alen "you had .heroes", he recalls. In those days, "you knew what was good and what was not," values were simpler, more black and white and heroes never gave up in the face of danger. a M. Burgess decided to call his film , icourse the Classical Film Society because "In a lot of ways the films of the 30's 49's and 50's reflect a simpler 9s, their values' am simpler and it was easier then for .people to have a solidset of values." The teacher sard some of his fondest rnetnorieS are of spending Saturday aftera&mt as a kid at the movies.:in his hometown of Tilbury, watching the serials unfold week after weelte.While his early heroes were the cowboys- hers like Whip Wilson, Rocky Lane, Wild Bill Hickock and Roy Rogers, there were else adventure serials. Their heroes were characters like Batman, Superman and the gracious Prince Valiant. The serials lasted 12 to 15 episodes'leach and weekly admiasien at the matinees was 15 cents, a problem for Dick Burgess who had a weekly allowance of a dime. ff he couldn't locate another nickel, he missed DOROIllYfficOUIRE FESS PARKE REMEMBERING THCJSE OLD MOVIES—SDHS teacher Dick Burgess displays a poster advertising the Walt Disney classic, Old Yeller, part of - his collection of memorabilia from Hollywood's heyday. Items in the 1 collection will be on display at the Classical Film Society program offered at the SDHS night school. Photo by Gibb) one Of the cliffhanging .episodes in the current serial. While thesaat)-week film'''. program at . SDHS won't bring back those serials, it will • bring aome film classics to town. Mr. Burgessaid operatieg the program under the auspices of the night school gives easy access to a, good place to show films, the right equipment ,and allows him to take advantage of special film rental rates provided for educational institutes. The opeing night of the Classical Film Society on Tuesday, Oct. 7 includes a sampling of film classics. To startl the program, there's an abridged version of On The Waterfront, starring Marlon Brando and Karl Malden, a film which won several Academy Awards; an abridged version of another award -winner, Brielaee on the River kwai, starring Alec --Guiness; Abandon Ship with matinee idol Tyrone Power and shorts made by some of the great comedians including Charlie Chaplin, Mae West and the Marx sprothers. Although Mr. Burges a has Laurel and Hardy double feature tentative(y booked for the second week, he s 'd this could be changed after m bersof the film society decide what kird of film they want to see. The third we ks will feature Errol Flynn in a swashbuckling epic, with a very young Ronald Reagan, the U.S.. presidential candidate, in a supborting role. THE BLUE ANGEL The fourth week, Dick Burgess plans to show the Blue Angel, the classic 'film with Marlene Dietrich as a sultry cafe singer. Mr. Burgess said the other weeks are still open, and films can be selected by the class from catalogues. The only other night already planned is Nov. 11- since the -class falls on Remembrance Day, Dick 131Fgess has booked affilm called Hollywood Xooks At The War, showing how the movie - makers portrayed World War 11. In addition to society members, whe enroll for the full 10 -week program for a 515 fee, Mr. Burgess hopes to offer a subscription series as well- for example, other movie fans could pay 510 and attend five nights of the program. In addition to viewing and discussing the films, Mr. Burgess will be supplementing the program with his own collection of posters, movie stills and books on Hollywood's golden days. Mr. Burgess said he originally started collecting posters and stills, many of whilsai he recalls his younger days at the movies, at the annual Wingham Film Festival Now that nes become an enthuslasChc adds to this collection by corresponding with other collectors in magazines pub - fished by for film enthusiasts. Although most of the posters in his oollection were purchased for S5 or S10. he expects their value will increase as the years go by'. The teacher, who's always been a en movie-goer, said he decided to offer the , film society program when he realized, In a lot of respects, with the movies that re • out right now, it's difficult to find one at really grabs you." A SOCIAL OUTLET He said he hopes the film society «n offer members films they wouldn't oth, r - wise have an opportunity of viewing in, a social setting. Mr. Burgess sees the fil society as potentially another social out t for the community, particularly for tha who might not be sports -oriented and wa to meet others who share a comnio interest. Mr. Burgess' own background include film studies and film making courses. A, well, he' s been_teaching.a.film .arts_cours . to SDHS students for some /ears- the onl such course in a county school. When the night school program con- cludes, Dick Burgess hopes the film society', might become an ongoing group in the community. He said once films are booked, they could be shown at seni e• citizens' homes in the community, or at Saturday matinee programs for young people. The night school program is simply "a way of getting started and something to give us a base from which to operate", he said. in addition to renting films from agencies, Mr. Burgess hopes to contact some private collectors to see if they'd show their films to the society and discuss them with the class afterwards. Dick Burgess admits one of his fanfasies, if he had unlimited resources, would be to operate a theatre in Seaford'. But while this fantasy ins't likely to be realized in the Seaforth's. • •, For a quarter. Seaforth youngsters once spent an afternoon at the town's last movie house, the Regent -sitting through the Saturday matinee, popcorn or candy bar in hand, cheering on their heroes. Those matinees, according to the theatre's former projectionist Tom Haley, were "the cheapest babysitting you could get." But , by the late 1950's, dwindling audiences persuaded Herb Sutherland of St. Mary s, ownerof a chain of Huron County theatres, to close the Regent. The theatre, with a seating capacity of over 300. had opened in 1932, just after the advent of "sound" pictures, located • where McConnyrr and Stewart's Law Office is today. By the end of the theatre's career, Tom Haley sahthe remembers nights when he'd show the second show to an audience of only one , , !ear figure, he tieeS hope to bridge the gap , fot moviegoers by bringhte ant. "setae intetestine older films" to society mem- bers- Mina that vvpn't be interrupted blr commercials or "hacked up" to fia time slot. . a , Fantasies aide, the real mason Dick • Burgess is starting the, society is aimpla "because I'm a 'fan of Mule,"•• ' A fan created back in the days when the now -boarded up Tilbury theatre still • showed Saturday matinees. In the days when yoa still knew who the good guys were. " - THE FORCE OF EVIL — Actor John Garfield points to a newspaper headline in the 1948 picture, Force of Eveil, in which lawmen battled big ! city racketeers. jPhoto by Gibb) ad theatre• til late '50's Tbm Haley learned the projectionist's art as an apprentice in Mr. Sutherland's ; Exeter theatre.. Then, when someone was needed to run the Regent in 1953, Tom Haley moved to Seaforth. The first movie he showed when he arrived played to full houses - it was a docamentary on The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth 11. ' One other movie which also created line-ups was the popular hit. The Quiet Man. starring John Waync and Barry 1F1tzgerald. Tom Haley said while he managed the theatre, two movies were shown every night except Sunday, as well as the laturday matinee for kids. By the last year, lick of patrons forced the theatre to eperate only three nights a week. Mr. Haley said he believes admission for tie Saturday matinees whs 15 cents, which lift enough for popcorn or candy for kids !miry enough to have 25 cents. and was about 65 cents for adults. The matinee movies were usually the same movies which entertained. adult .audiences in the evening - but as Tom Haley points out, this was a period when "restricted" movies were unheard of, and even "adult only" movies were the exception. Unless movies played to a full house, a canny theattegoer could pay one admission at 7:30 p.m. and sit through both showings of the feature movie. 'Seaforth, at least until the late 1950's. had always been a town of movie goers. The first theatre. the Star Theatre, owned by Din and Cady, opened in 1907. Silent pictures were the order of the day and an old scratchy phonograph provided the music. From 1909 till he retired in 1932. John McKenzie of Seaorth ran this theatre, under the name the Princess Theatre. The Please turn to page 15 THANK YOU • to the community for your help and support at °deftest Sincerely. The Van Egmond Foundation FRIDAY -SATURDAY -SUNDAY OCT 3-45 LAST HIGHT THURSDAY OCT' 2 LEE MARVIN MARK HAMILL a, riE.piGREI?.ONE "TALES FRONDE ire. 3 SOORICH AT COMM( EL 4. anew%• • MK 524-9331 pARK 0.574#6- GODERIcH 1.11111.iiiidlii,11111:14:114:1 smoT,Tsrynon-7-1-&sam4r4T-&-ntAretval THE LEGION NEWS by Jack Oster, P.R.O. Blench 156 4 •a3 a to $011111111 111511 5.544 I IS SI $ $ 1 If 527-0180 If your schedule - has been DERAILED Pizza Train is right on TIME Eat in or Take out Hours Open Sun. thru Thurs.—. 11 a.m. to Midnight *, Fri. & Sat. — 11 a.m. to 2 a,.m. OPEN THANKSGIVING SUNDAY & MONDAY Veterans will miss MacDonald Members of the Branch as well as veterans across Canada were saddened Tuesday when the learned of the death that day of Federal Veterans Affairs Minister Dan MacDonald. A staunch supporter of Canada veterans Mr. MacDonald fought in and out of Parliamene to advance the welfare of these who had served in Canadas armed services. Himself a veteran Mr. MacDonald lost an arm and a leg while serving in Italy in World War 11. REPORT ON CONVENTION At our last general meeting Comrade Nicholson gave a detailed account of events and happeteings that took place at the Dominion Convention held in Pentictor this past summer. Although it has been reported in this paper about the associate members given full priviledges at all levels. many more important issues were voted on. The eanventian was of- ficially opemed by Comrade Alf Watts. the Etat 2ncr War Vet d's become Dominion President. Approximate* 3,000 delegates and their wives attended far a total of 5.000 people. There were 351 resolutions brought forward, including some on Veterans Service. Leadership and Planning. Constitution and Law and • PUBLIC SKATING Seaforth Arena OCTOBER SCHEDULE Every Saturday - 1d5 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Every Sunday - 2:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. ADMISSION: Adults & High School - $1.00 Public School - .75 %as and Means plus many itent of interests to the Veteran as a whole. Ote hundred- and foetal - eight changes were made in the tension act. Daiations from the intemt of the Centennial fund acre given to following: Nafittal Athletic Program. 5125,0)0.: Action Program. 133.00).; Track and Feld (Natiotal), 258,000.; Welfare in (aribbean. 252.000.: Fellowthip and Geriatrics.. 150,001. It was also voted that poppy seould be sold from Nov. I t) Nov. 11 with Nov. 8 being National Tag day for 1980. It 1979 there were 12,000.0)0. poppies sold through tut Canada. Comrales Bill Wilbee and Al Nichdson both of whom attended this convention. were treated royally by our western friends. and I'm sure the/ will have fond memoriesof their recent trip. BOWLLNG IS UNDER WAY Legion aowling begins this Friday at 7p.m. with 6 teams again takieg part. There is always POMO for spares. and any legioa member who would like to bowl as such, should contact...loan and Don Eaton. Last Satirday 3 teams from Se.tforth Legion travelled to Hanover to bowl in the first lavitational Tour- nament of the season, hosted by the flanover Ladies Auxiliary to the Legion. , A team from Seaforth (Joan and Den Eaton. Anne and Don Wood, Mary and Al Sinale) came in third out of 24 teams cornpefing. Other teams. from Seaforth were #2. Doreen and Jack Eisler, Marie and Jack Muir: Jackie and MEI Mela.nson; #3 Lynda and Bon Colemat, Bonnie and Jack Bedard, Marg and Laverne Scott. LADIES A'rTEND CONVENTION Thelma Combs Ladies Auxiliary President gave an interesting report, on their Provinciald Convention held in Ottawa recently. There were over 1387 delegates registered. and most of them were on parade to march up Parliament Hill 10 the Peace Tower, where a wreath was laid by Comrade Marg Des- jardine. President of Pro- vincial Command of thc Ladies Auxiliary. During the first day of deliberation 525.000 was given to the Men's Ontario Command as well as 515.000 far the Service Bureau Administration. Comrade Coombs reported that there are 403 Ladies Auxiliaries in Ontario, with a total of 1,227 Life Members and 29.376 Ordinary Members. The Ladies Auxiliary are still carrying out their aims and purposes to assist the Royal Canadian Legioo. They raised last year. 55,338.453 from which grants were made as follows! 98,336. to bursaries; 1,619.936 to Legion Branches in Command: 96,296. to Veterans Hospitals; 209.374. to sports In Ontario as well as other smaller gifts. It is a wry impresstw record, and we in the Legion as well as the community should be prerud of them. ELECT GODERICII Prabably the highlight et (hie convention was the election of Evelyn Carroll of Goderich as 3rd Vire- President af Proaincial Cornmand. Evelyn who is the mother of Pauf Carton of Seaforth is no stranger to Legion men and ladies throughout District and I'm sure she will carry out her new duties with dignity. Our con- gratulations go aut to her and Howard. District Convention far the men will be held in Kin- cardilie on Oct. 19. More will appear on this at future date. October 3 Legian Bowling 7 p.m.. SOX OFFICE OPENS AT CO P.M. nsst SHOW AT 3e28 P.M. FR:DAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY OCTOSER 3414 srEt/E ONT eae.aee.ea— seresaa.4.:11 xoute eaglia J'Agm"41 PLUS SECOND FEATURE Tharok God ors only a motion picture! *ADULT ENTERTAINMENT WARNING: Not suitable for pro toonagiara ...